Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I believe they will acknowledge it is not a competence of the Department of Finance to define who should be eligible for transport supports and mobility supports arising from disability. We are continuing to administer the existing scheme and will do so until it is replaced. I have shown willingness to respond to events that have arisen and individual cases that have highlighted gaps in the existing scheme. Colleagues will be familiar with Leigh Gath and the change we made to ensure she and others in a similar situation got the support they needed under the existing scheme.

I will ensure the appeals board is given the resources it needs to hear cases as quickly as possible but I must reiterate it is not the ultimate solution. Owing to the nature of the criteria, the success rate is in the low single digits in percentage terms. Therefore, we do need a new scheme. We will play our part because we have gathered at Revenue level and in my Department considerable experience in the administration of the existing scheme. There is a lot of knowledge and experience that can be used in the development of a new scheme, and the Department is actively involved in supporting that work.

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